snugsnug
11-30-2006, 08:46 AM
SAN DIEGO -- Shamu the killer whale has attacked a trainer at SeaWorld in San Diego.
Authorities said the whale grabbed the man's foot and pulled him underwater twice on Wednesday. The 39-year-old man who has worked at Shamu Stadium for 12 years was taken to a hospital and is said to be in good condition.
The mishap occurred when the trainer and Shamu were to go underwater. They were to emerge with the trainer jumping off the whale's nose.
But a park official said Shamu opened his mouth underwater, grabbed the trainer's foot and kept him underwater for a period of time. When both came up for air, the trainer tried to calm the whale by gently rubbing it, but he took the man down a second time.
The whale eventually released his grip, and the trainer managed to swim away.
Authorities said the whale grabbed the man's foot and pulled him underwater twice on Wednesday. The 39-year-old man who has worked at Shamu Stadium for 12 years was taken to a hospital and is said to be in good condition.
The mishap occurred when the trainer and Shamu were to go underwater. They were to emerge with the trainer jumping off the whale's nose.
But a park official said Shamu opened his mouth underwater, grabbed the trainer's foot and kept him underwater for a period of time. When both came up for air, the trainer tried to calm the whale by gently rubbing it, but he took the man down a second time.
The whale eventually released his grip, and the trainer managed to swim away.